Curtain rod with integrated level

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a rod with an integrated level are provided. In this way, the rod may be installed on a wall level without a separate level.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/129,553, which was filed on Mar. 6, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a curtain rod with an integrated level.

BACKGROUND

The procedure for installing a curtain rod on a wall typically involves marking on a wall with a pencil the location for the hardware used to install the curtain rod. In so marking, a separate level may be used to mark the location of the hardware to be installed on a wall to ensure that the curtain rod will be level when installed. Once the curtain rod is installed, the separate level may be used to confirm that the curtain rod is level.

U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2007/0006377 and 2007/0006378 disclose a shower rod assembly that comprises a first rod having a first end and a second end, a second rod telescopically connected to the first rod such that the first end of the second rod is received within the second end of the first rod, a first plate having a surface suitable for attachment to a wall and arranged so as to receive the first end of the first rod, and a second plate having a surface suitable for attachment to the wall. The '377 and '378 patent applications disclose that the second plate is suitable for receiving a second end of the second rod. The '377 and '378 patent applications further disclose that a first bubble level is affixed to the first plate and a second bubble level is affixed to the second plate. The '377 and '378 patent applications disclose that a bubble level can be provided so as assist the installer in ascertaining in a quick and reliable manner whether a plate has been installed in a level condition.

The shower rod disclosed in the '377 and '378 patent applications do not accommodate any hardware used at the ends of the shower rods as the bubble level are installed in the plates to be attached to the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of curtain rod with integrated level according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a curtain rod with integrated level are provided. In some implementations, the curtain rod includes an integrated level.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of curtain rod 100 with integrated level according to the present disclosure. The curtain rod 100 comprises a rod 110 with an integrated level 120. In some implementations, the curtain rod 110 may further include integrated brackets 130 for mounting the rod on a wall. In some implementations, the brackets are separable.

In some implementations, the rod may be straight. In some implementations, the rod may not be straight. For example, in some implementations, the rod may include 90 degree bends at both ends. In some implementations, the rod may be any shape. In some implementation, the rod may be a tension rod. In some implementations, the rod may be adjustable. In some implementations, the rod may be a double or multi-rod set. In some implementations, the rod may be wood. In some implementations, the rod may be metal. In some implementations, the rod may be any suitable material. In some implementations, the rod can be any existing or future developed rod for hanging curtains.

In some implementations, the integrated level 120 may be a bubble level. In some implementations, the level 120 may be any instrument designed to indicate whether an object is horizontal.

In some implementations, the level may be installed on one side of a rod. In some implementations, the level may be installed on both sides of a rod. In some implementations, the rod may be installed in the center of a rod.

In some implementations, the level may be embedded into the rod. In some implementations, the rod may include a cut-out within the body of the rod wherein the level is visible. In some implementations, the level is completely embedded within the body of the rod such that the surface of the level does not extend beyond the surface of the body of the rod. In some implementations, the level is recessed within the body of the rod. In some implementations, the level is not recessed within the body of the rod.

In some implementations, the level may be movable within the body of the rod. For example, in some implementations, the level may be rotated out of view once the rod is installed.

In some implementations, the level may be removable from the body of the rod.

To install a curtain rod using an implementation of a curtain rod of the present disclosure, in some implementations, one end of the curtain rod is attached to a wall. Then, using the integrated level, the second end of the curtain rod is attached to the wall such that the curtain rod is level. In this way, installing a curtain rod using a curtain rod of the present disclosure may be faster and more accurate than installing a curtain rod in the traditional manner. The traditional step of using a separate level to mark the location of the hardware to be installed on a second end may be eliminated. Furthermore, the traditional step of using a separate level to confirm that an installed curtain rod is level may be eliminated.

In some implementations, once hardware is installed on the wall for a first end of a curtain rod, the curtain rod may be attached to the wall on the first end. Then, the level integrated into the curtain rod may be used to mark the location of the hardware to be installed on the wall for a second end of the curtain rod. In some implementations, the curtain rod may be removed from the wall while the hardware for the second end is installed. Then, the curtain rod is installed on the wall using the hardware and the level integrated into the curtain rod may be used to confirm that the installed curtain rod is level.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in some implementations”, or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail. 

1. An apparatus comprising: an elongated rod having a first end and a second end and a level wherein the level is integrated in the rod wherein the level is configured to indicate whether the rod is horizontal.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first bracket and a second bracket attached to the first end and the second end of the elongated rod, respectively, the first bracket and the second bracket configured to attach to a wall at a first location and a second location respectively.
 3. The apparatus of claim wherein the level is embedded within the body of the rod such that the surface of the level does not extend beyond the surface of the body of the rod.
 4. The apparatus of claim wherein the level is movable within the body of the rod such that the level may be rotated.
 5. The apparatus of claim wherein the level is removable from the body of the rod.
 6. The apparatus of claim wherein the level is a bubble level.
 7. A method of installing the rod of claim 1 on a wall level, the method comprising: attaching the first end of the elongated rod to the wall; and positioning the second end of the elongated rod using the level until the level indicates that the rod is level and then attaching the second end of the elongated rod to the wall based on the positioning.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein a first bracket and a second bracket are configure to be attached to the first end and the second end of the elongated rod, respectively, the first bracket and the second bracket configured to attach to a wall at a first location and a second location respectively, wherein attaching the first end of the elongated rod to a wall comprises installing the first bracket on the wall at a first position; and positioning the second end of the elongated rod using the level comprising determining the second position of the second bracket based on the level indicating that the elongated rod is level and installing the second bracket on the wall at the second position. 